Meghalaya-Assam boundary row: Talks delayed due to COVID-19

SHILLONG

Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, on Wednesday, said that the chief ministerial-level talks concerning the inter-state boundary dispute between Meghalaya and Assam could not take place because of the COVID-19 situation.

“Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had sought an appointment from Assam Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal. But things could not move forward, as both the state governments’ priorities at the moment are to oversee the prevailing pandemic situation. It will be difficult to say when the chief ministerial-level talks will take place,” Tynsong told reporters.

It may be noted that the meeting between the two chief ministers is long overdue, especially with reports of skirmishes along the interstate boundary continuing to surface. Sonowal and Sangma were supposed to meet in April this year.

The United Democratic Party (UDP) and Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), both supporters of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, recently demanded the resumption of the chief ministerial-level talks with Assam to solve the border issue with the neighbouring state.

A delegation of the two parties called on Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Monday, urging him to resume the talks.

“We have expressed before the CM on the need to propose to Assam government to resume the dialogue and make an attempt for a permanent solution of the boundary dispute which includes Block I and II and some areas in Garo Hills,” UDP chief adviser and former Deputy Chief Minister Bindo M Lanong said.